UK opposes construction project beyond the Green Line: 'A destructive step'

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband issued a sharp statement against Israel's tender for the construction of 1,200 housing units in the E1 area beyond the Green Line, calling it 'unacceptable and a destructive step.' Miliband warned that the project would strike at Palestine and create a threat of separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, jeopardizing the two-state solution. He said that in the coming weeks, the UK will present a package of retaliatory measures, including targeted sanctions against participants in settlement expansion.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband issued a sharp statement against the tender published by the Israeli government for the construction of 1,200 housing units in the E1 area beyond the Green Line. Miliband called this step 'unacceptable and destructive,' stating that the project would strike at the very heart of Palestine and create a threat of separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, which could jeopardize the feasibility of a two-state solution. He emphasized that settlements hinder this solution and constitute a gross violation of international law. Miliband said he clearly told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar that these plans must be stopped immediately. Additionally, he announced that in the coming weeks, the UK will present a package of retaliatory measures, including targeted sanctions against participants in settlement expansion. The article is a direct transmission of the British minister's statement without any analytical commentary from the editorial board.